Display devices movable through a display space and a storage space and conveyor mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

A conveying mechanism, for example, for moving each of a multiplicity of display devices through both a viewing area and a storage area. In the embodiment described herein, the mechanism includes a first and second sprocket wheel of different diameters mounted for rotation about a common axis at a common angular speed, first and second endless chains trained about the wheels and first and second drive means on the two chains for engaging a carrier assembly and moving it along the first chain at the speed of that chain and along the second chain at the speed of that chain.

[51] Int.Cl.............

New London;

Edward L. Raub, Jr., New Londo Richard P. Scholfield [21] Appl. No.832,998

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,006,453 10/1961 Tonelli[22] Filed June 13, 1969 D [23] Division of Ser. No. 607,702, Jan. 6,1967,

abandoned.

[45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee New Concepts, Inc. PrimaryExaminer-Edward A. Sroka Peekskill, N.Y. Attorney-Cushmzn, Darby &Cushman ABSTRACT: A conveying mechanism, for example, for moving each ofa multiplicity of display devices through both a viewing area and astorage area. In the embodiment described herein, the mechanism includesa first and second sprocket [54] DISPLAY DEVICES MOVABLE THROUGHA wheelof different diameters mounted for rotation about a common axis at acommon angular speed, first and second endless chains trained about thewheels and first and second DISPLAY SPACE AND A STORAGE SPACE ANDCONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFOR 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

drive means on the two chains for engaging a carrier assembly and movingit along the first chain at the speed of that chain and along the secondchain at the speed of that chain.

PATENTED um 1 2 Ian 3 6 1 2 244 manure mvmona JIM 4m .Z. Ph s, J8.57/422 .5. 3W5, fe 2:102?! 1. 50m; #742 BY I ATTORNEYS PATENTED ucnzlsn3,612,244

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ATTORNEYS PATENTEU [JCT 1 21971 SHEET 6 BF 6 IIFIL MAR WV DISPLAYDEVICES MOVABLE THROUGH A DISPLAY SPACE AND A STORAGE SPACE AND CONVEYORMECHANISM THEREFOR This application is a division of application Ser.No. 607,702, filed Jan. 6, 1967 now abandoned.

This invention relates to display apparatus and more particularly todisplay apparatus of the type including a multiplicity of panellikedisplay devices which are moved from a storage space through a displayspace.

The apparatus of the present invention is particularly applicable indisplaying products as well as printed material. In displaying printedmaterial for advertising such as billboards, both inside and outside, itis highly desirable to provide for a constant or periodic change in theprinted material which is displayed within a given display space. Inorder to accomplish this result, the apparatus must provide for agreater number of displays than can be exhibited in the display spaceand provision must be made to store the displays which are not actuallyin the display space. The storage problem is easily solved by using filmand projecting selected images from the film on the display area. Whilethe general result can be obtained through light projection on a displayscreen, the image produced by light projection is not always desirabledue to the surrounding lighting conditions of the display apparatus.Accordingly, displays of this type have not been adopted to anyappreciable extent in outdoor applications due to the existence ofvarying lighting conditions such as brilliant sunlight and the like.These same drawbacks are likewise evident in indoor displayapplications. Changing display apparatus of the type presenting actualdisplays, as distinguished from projected images, obviate thedisadvantage of projected image display apparatus but present a storageproblem.

. There have been display apparatus proposed and utilized which arecapable of presenting a changing actual display within a given displayspace as, for example, a display made up of a series of triangularlyshaped display elements mounted with their axes disposed in parallelrelation so that by rotating each display element one third of arevolution, three distinct displays can be presented within the spaceprovided. There have been various other proposals which have notreceived any widespread acceptance. The storage problem of the displayapparatus of this type which have'heretofore been utilized and proposedhas not been satisfactorily solved.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a displayapparatus of the type described having a multiplicity of panellikedisplay devices mounted with respect to each other such that a maximumnumber of such display devices can be disposed within a minimum spacefor movement into and out of a display space from and into a storagespace so that a maximum number of separate displays can be presentedwithin the total confines of the apparatus.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this resultis obtained by effecting a simultaneous movement of all of the displaydevices in an endless path, the storage space being arranged to receivesuccessive display devices from the display space while simultaneouslysuccessive display devices are moved out of the storage space into thedisplay space, the display devices being moved through the display spacein generally closely spaced relation with one of their two viewing sidesexposed in viewing relation and through the storage space with theviewing sides in generally closely spaced adjacent relation thus fillingsubstantially the entire space occupied by the apparatus. Moreover, eachdisplay device is provided with opposed viewing sides which arealternately exposed during alternate movements through the displayspace.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a displayapparatus of the type described having improved means for effecting themovement of the panellike display devices into and out of the displayspace from and into the storage space which is simple in construction,and economical to manufacture and maintain.

The mechanism embodied in the displayapparatus of the present inventionfor effecting the support and movement of the panellike display devicesincludes a conveyor mechanism which would have utility in conveyingarticles other than panellike display devices. The simple, efficient,economical and substantially maintenance free conveying mechanism of thepresent invention could be utilized in various industrial assemblyinstallations and the like, such as painting relatively flat articleswherein the display space would be utilized for painting and the storagespace for drying.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to providea conveying mechanism of the type,.described including a track sectionsupporting a plurality of carriers for movement therealong, and threeseparate drive or moving mechanisms synchronized for simultaneousmovement about a single axis of rotation for effecting high-speedmovement of said carriers along a first portion of the track, low-speedmovement of the carriers along a section portion of the track, andhigh-to-low variable-speed movement along and intermediate portion ofthe track.

These and other objects of the present invention will become moreapparent during the course of the following detailed description andappended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings: 7

FIG. I is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the driving end of the'apparatus, withparts broken away for purposes of clearer illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the apparatus showing theposition of the display devices within the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame assembly with certain partsshown in phantom for purposes of clearer illustration;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 66of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line8--8 of FIG. 1.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF OPERATION Referring now moreparticularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a displayapparatus, generally indicated at 10, embodying the principles of thepresent invention. In general, the display apparatus 10 includes a frameassembly, generally indicated at 12, and a multiplicity of panellikedisplay devices, generally indicated at 14. Moveably supporting thedisplay devices 14 on the frame assembly 12 is a conveying mechanism,generally indicated at 16, including a track and carriage assembly 18supporting the display devices on the frame assembly 12 for movementthrough an endless path including a display run and a storage run and asynchronized variable speed motion transmitting assembly 20 foreffecting movement of the display devices through the display run at arelatively fast speed, for effecting movement of the display devicesthrough the storage run at a relatively slow speed, and for effectingmovement of the display devices between the display run and the storagerun at speeds which.

vary from fast to slow and vice versa. Finally, the apparatus 10includes a cam assembly, generally indicated at 22, for guiding themovement of the display devices 14 by the conveying mechanism 116 sothat during their movement along the display run, they are disposedingenerallycloselyspaced relation with the opposed viewing sides thereofextending generally in the direction of movement and one of the viewingsides exposed in viewing relation, and during their movement along thestorage run are disposed in generally closely spaced relation with eachviewing side thereof extending generally transverse to the direction ofmovement and in opposed relation to an opposite viewing side of anadjacent display device.

Preferably, the cam assembly 22 is such as to expose in viewing relationduring the movement of the display device along the display run,opposite viewing sides thereof in successive movements through thedisplay run in the same direction.

Preferably, the ratio of the speed of movement of the display devicesthrough the display run to the speed of movement of the display devicesthrough the storage run is substantially equal to the ratio of the widthof the display devices to the thickness of the display devices so thatthe display devices will be disposed in closely spaced relation duringtheir movement through both runs thus utilizing a maximum displaycapability in a minimum of space.

For some applications, as, for example, when displaying articles forsale, such as wallpaper, floor and ceiling tiles and the like, it isdesirable that the display devices be capable of reverse movement sothat such function is preferably provided in the apparatus 10.

FRAME ASSEMBLY The frame assembly 12 of the display apparatus of thepresent invention may be of any suitable construction. As best shown inFIG. 5, the frame assembly 12 preferably includes a pair of upper andlower generally horizontally extending frame subassemblies 24 and 26.Each frame subassembly preferably includes a pair of parallel elongatedback and front frame members 28 and 30 rigidly interconnected inparallel relation by three transversely extending cross frame members32. As shown, all of the frame members of the upper frame subassembly 24are of hollow tubular construction fixedly secured together, as bywelding or the like. The lower frame subassembly is made up of angleiron front and back frame members and inverted channel cross framemembers. Suitable adjustable leveling devices are provided below eachend of each channel member for engaging the floor and supporting theentire frame assembly in level fashion.

Extending between the rear ends of each corresponding pair of crossmembers 32 is a rear column member 34, the ends of each column memberbeing provided with flange plates as fixed thereto, as by welding or thelike. Each upper flange plate is, in turn, detachably fixedly secured byany suitable means, such as bolt assemblies or the like, to a gussetplate 38 welded to the adjacent cross member 32. The associated lowerflange plates rest upon and are detachably secured to the adjacent rearends of the lower inverted channel cross members.

Disposed in parallel relation to each rear column member is acorresponding front column member 40 extending between the front ends ofeach pair of associated cross frame members 32. As before, the frontcolumn members 40 are provided with flange plates 42 at each endthereof, the upper flange plates being adjustably detachably fixedlysecured to gusset plates 44 welded to the associated upper cross framemembers and the lower flange plates being adjustably detachably fixedlysecured to the adjacent front ends of the lower inverted channel crossmembers. Preferably, this detachable securement provides for adjustmentof the front column members in a direction from front to back.

Mounted over the bottom frame subassembly 26 is a lower bolstersubassembly 46 of any suitable construction provided primarily forpurposes of appearance. As best shown in FIG. 1, the lower bolstersubassembly 46 provides a horizontally extending floor surface 48 and aperipheral surface 50 extending vertically downwardly from the peripheryof the floor surface 48.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of parallel longitudinallyextending conveying mechanism back and front support members 52 and 54is provided in vertically spaced relation below the upper framesubassembly 24 at positions between the front and rear column members 34and 40. As shown, each of the support members 52 and 54 is secured inspaced relation below the upper frame subassembly 24 by means of aplurality of standards 56, each standard being secured at its lower end,by any suitable means, to the associated support member and at its upperend with an adjacent cross frame member 32. Preferably, the standards 56associated with support member 52 are adjustably secured to the uppercross members 32 so as to permit adjustment of the support member 52 ina manner similar to the front columns Secured to the outer surfaces ofthe front and rear frame members 28 and 30 is a peripheral wall member58 providing a vertically extending surface primarily for ornamentalpurposes which is in general alignment with the vertical surface 50 ofthe lower bolster assembly 46. Secured to the undersurface of the frontsupport member 54 is a central rectangularly shaped ceiling member 60(FIG. 8) having its front ends disposed in spaced relation to lower edgeof the front portion of the peripheral wall 58. At each end of thecentral ceiling member 60 an arcuate ceiling member 62 is removablysecured, by any suitable means, to the underside of the associated endof the front support member 54. The arcuate ceiling members 62abuttingly engage the adjacent edge of the central ceiling member 60 andthe periphery of the three abutting ceiling members define an endlesssurface having straight sides and arcuate ends, the space extendinghorizontally outwardly from this endless periphery surface, indicated ats, being open to permit movement therethrough of a portion of theconveying mechanism 16 which supports the display devices M.

Secured beneath the back support member 52 is a complementary ceilingmember 64. If desired, rear cover panels 66 may be provided between therear portion of the upper peripheral wall 58 and the associated rearportion of the lower bolster assembly. Also, as shown in H0. 3, a topcover plate 68 may be provided within the upper periphery of the wall 58to protect the conveying mechanism 16 therebelow.

The ceiling members not only serve to enclose the bottom of theconveying mechanism 16, to thereby protect the same and improve theappearance of the apparatus, but serve the operational function oflimiting excessive swinging or swaying of the display devices in avertical plane during their movement into, through and out of thestorage run, particularly when the display devices are being turned bythe cam assembly 22.

DISPLAY DEVICES The display devices 14 of the display apparatus 10 ofthe present invention are preferably of similar construction so that adescription of one will suffice to give an understanding of all. Adisplay device is susceptible of various construction, however, asshown, each is preferably in the form of a rectangular peripheral frame70 of substantial thickness, as, for example, 3 inches. The particularconstruction of the frame will depend to a considerably extent upon thetypes of material which are to be displayed by the device. For example,a 3 inch thick peripheral frame provides sufficient display space forgenerally flat 3-dimensional articles such as specimens of products tobe sold or the like which can fit within the space provided. With thisarrangement, a central display panel 72 is suitably mounted with in theperipheral frame 70 as by conventional molding or the like such as wouldbe provided in conventional windows. The display panel 72 which presentsopposed viewing sides, provides means on which material to be displayedmay be supported. Where it is desired to display articles whichapproximate the 3-dimensional thickness of the display space of thedevice, the panel may be cut out so as to centrally support the article,in which cue the article would be exposed in viewing relation at eachviewing side of the panel.

Where thematerial to be displayed will consist entirely of cardboardadvertising panels, the peripheral frame may be of a thicknesssubstantially less than 3 inches and simply provide interior peripheralgrooves in the top and bottom ends of the frame and one of the sides ofthe frame and a vertical slot in the opposite side of the peripheralframe so as to accommodate two cardboard-type posters which may bepushed in back-to-back relation through the slot into engagement withthe peripheral groove s. Of course, peripheral frame having a thicknessgreater than 3 inches may be provided where it is desired to displayB-dimensional articles of a size greater than 3 inches.

CONVEYING MECHANISM The track and carriage assembly 18 of the conveyingmechanism 16 of the present invention includes a track 74 in the form ofan endless loop corresponding in shape to the ceiling space s previouslydescribed in connection with the frame assembly 12. The track may be ofany suitable construction and, as shown, is formed of rounded tubularstock. The track is supported in a horizontal plane at a positionslightly above the ceiling members, at its front portion, correspondingto the display run, as by a plurality of spaced hangers 76 or the likefixed to the front frame member 30 therealong, and at its rear portion,corresponding to the storage run, as by spaced plates 78 secured to therear support member 52. The track is thus positioned essentially invertically spaced relation above the space a previously described withthe hangers 76 and plates 78 extending toward the outer peripherythereof.

Mounted on the track 74 is a multiplicity of carrier assemblies 80 of anumber corresponding to the number of display devices provided. As bestshown in FIG. 6, each carrier assembly is preferably in the form of aU-shaped carrier member having a vertically extending-bight portion 82disposed in spaced relation to the interior periphery of the track 74,an upper horizontally extending track supporting leg 84 disposed abovethe track and a lower horizontally extending display device supportingleg 86 disposed below the track. Journaled beneath the upper leg 84 is apair of track engaging rollers 88 having their axes disposedapproximately at 90 with respect to each other in symmetrical relationwith respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of the track.Rigidly secured to each upper leg 84 and extending upwardly therefrom isa drive pin 90 having a drive roller 92 joumaled on the upper endthereof.

Any suitable means may be provided for pivotally supporting each displaydevice 14 to the lower leg 86 of an associated carrier assembly 80 forpivotal movement about a central vertical axis with respect to thedisplay device. In the embodiment shown, the means for suspending eachdisplay device also provides for the longitudinal sliding movement ofthe display assembly out of supporting relation to the carrier assemblyto permit more convenient loading and changing of the display devices. I

As best shown in FIG. 6, each lower support leg 86 is apertured torotatably receive, as by a bearing assembly or the like, the upper endof a vertically extending shaft or pin 94, the lower end of which isfixedly secured to the central portion of an elongated display devicereceiving member 96. The display device receiving member 96 ispreferably of conventional configuration in cross section providing agenerally T-shaped slot extending longitudinally of the member. AT-shaped member 98 is fixedly secured to the upper end portion of theperipheral frame 70 of the associated display device 14, the horizontalflange thereof being adapted to engage within the T-shaped slot of thedisplay device receiving member 96. With this construction, the entiredisplay device can be removed from the associated carrier assembly by asliding movement when the display device is disposed in the storage run.If desired, a spring detent 100 may be provided in the member 98 forengaging a recess 102 in the member 96 when the former has been movedcompletely into the latter so as to effectively insure attachment of thedisplay device with the carrier assembly during operation of theapparatus.

While the above arrangement is preferred, it will be understood that thecarrier assembly may be readily adapted to detachably receive thedisplay devices in such a way that the display devices can be separatedfrom the carrier assemblies while in the display run, rather than thestorage run or in addition to the storage run.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the synchronous variable speed motiontransmitting assembly 20 of the conveyor mechanism 16 includes arelatively large high-speed display endless chain 104, a relativelysmall, slow-speed storage endless chain 106, a driven synchronoussprocket assembly 108 and an idler synchronous sprocket assembly 110,the sprocket assemblies being disposed at each end of the frame assembly12 adjacent the upper frame subassembly 24 and having the display andstorage chains 104 and 106 trained thereabout. The synchronous sprocketassembliesv 108 and 110 are of similar construction-except that thedriven synchronous sprocket assembly 108 is driven directly by a sourceof rotative power,

whereas the idler synchronous sprocket assembly 110 is I driven by thechains 104 and 106 in response to the rotation of the driven synchronoussprocket assembly and consequently a description of one will suffice togive an understanding of both.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the driven synchronous sprocket assembly108 comprises a horizontally extending generally rectangular mountingplate 112 secured beneath the adjacent ends of the elongated members 28and 30 of the upper frame subassembly 24. Preferably, the mounting plate112 is mounted for adjustment longitudinally with respect to the upperframe subassembly, as by an adjusting mechanism 114 (FIG. 3) whichserves as a chain tightener. Fixedly mounted on the upper surface of thecentral portion of the mounting plate 112 is a heavy duty bearingassembly 116 within which is joumaled a main drive shaft 118 forrotation about a verticalaxis.

As best shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the driven synchronous sprocketassembly 108, the main drive shaft 1 18 extends upwardly of the bearingassembly 116 and has a drive pulley 120 fixedly secured thereto. Thedrive pulley 120 is driven by a reversible electric gear motor 122carried by a bracket 124 fixedly mounted on the upper frame subassembly.The drive from the output shaft of the motor 122 to the drive pulley 120may be through a pair of belts 126 and 128 providing appropriate speedreduction. As shown, an idler shaft 130 is joumaled for rotation about avertical axis, as by a bearing assembly 132 mounted on the bracket 124.The motor is mounted on the bracket 124 for adjustment toward and awayfrom the baring assembly 132 so as to provide for the tightening of thebelt 126 which is trained about a pulley 134 on the output shaft of themotor 122 and a pulley 126 on the idler shaft 130. The bearing assembly132 is mounted for longitudinal adjustment on the bracket 124 to providefor the tightening of the belt 128, which is trained about the drivepulley 120 and a second pulley 138 on the idler shaft 130.

Fixedly secured to the main shaft 118 at a position spaced above theupper surface of the ceiling members 62 and 64 is a storage sprocketwheel 140 about which the adjacent end of the storage chain 106 istrained. Fixed to the shaft 118 immediately above the storage sprocketwheel 140 is a relatively large displaysprocket wheel 142 about whichthe adjacent end of the display chain 104 is trained.

As previously described, since the ratio of the speed of movement of thedisplay devices 14 through the display run to the speed of movement ofthe display devices through the storage run is preferably generallyequal to the ratio between the width of the display devices to thethickness of the display devices, the relative size s of the displaysprocket wheel and the storage sprocket wheel will likewise have asimilar ratio. For example, with display devices having a width of 24inches and a thickness of 3 inches, the display sprocket wheel will beof conventional construction having [92 teeth, while the storagesprocket is of conventional construction having 24 teeth.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the display chain 104 is providedwith a multiplicity of carrier assembly driving elements 144 each ofwhich, as shown, is of generally U-shaped construction having itshorizontally extending upper leg fixed to the underside of the chain andits horizontally extending lower leg provided with a drive pin receivingslot 146 opening inwardly with respect to the chain.

In a like manner, the storage chain 106 is provided with a multiplicityof spaced carrier assembly driving elements 148 which as shown, are inthe form of plates secured to the underside of the storage chain andextending outwardly thereof and having a pin receiving slot 150 thereinwhich opens outwardly with respect to the storage chain.

The spacing of the carrier assembly driving elements 144 and 148 on thechains is directly related to the size of the associated sprocket wheel.Thus, carrying forward the exemplary embodiment noted above, a drivingelement 144 would be secured to the display chain at intervals of 48links of the chain whereas the driving elements 148 of the storage chainwould be secured to the storage chain at intervals of 6 links.

As best shown in FIG. 2, it will be noted that the track 74 ispositioned with respect to the display and storage chains such that thefront flight of the display chain is spaced substantially directly abovethe front portion of the track and the rear flight of the storage chainis spaced substantially directly above the rear portion of the track.Consequently, the driving elements 144 of the display chain 104 willengage and move the carrier assemblies 80 on the front portion of thetrack 74 constituting the display run of the display devices, and thedriving elements 148 of the storage chain 106 will engage and move thecarrier assemblies 80 along the rear portion of the track 74,constituting the storage run.

The carrier assemblies 80 are moved along each intermediate end portionof the track 74 by a plurality of cam actuated transfer drive assemblies152 carried by the associated display sprocket wheel for rotationtherewith. In order to insure that each successive carrier assembly 80will be positively moved along the associated curved intermediate end ofthe track, four transfer assemblies 152 are provided in equalcircumferentially spaced relation about the display sprocket wheel.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, each transfer assembly 152 comprisesa pair of parallel elongated rectangular drive members or plates 154defining a radial passage therebetween disposed within a correspondingpair of slots 156 formed in the display sprocket wheel in parallelrelation to a radial median plane therebetween. Each pair of plates 154extends generally vertically and are spaced apart a distance sufficientto receive therebetween the upper drive roller 92 on the drive pin 90 ofthe carrier assemblies. The upper marginal edges of each pair of platesextend above the upper surface of the display sprocket wheel 142 and arerigidly interconnected as by a pair of spaced blocks 158.

Each pair of rigidly interconnected plates 154 is mounted for movementwithin the associated slots 156 between a raised inoperative position,wherein the lower end portions of the plates are disposed above the pathof movement of the carrier assembly drive rollers 92, and a loweredoperative position, wherein the lower end portions of the plates aredisposed within the path of movement of the drive rollers 92.Preferably, each pair of plates 154 is guided between their raised andlowered positions so that the plates are capable of a tilting action.This tilting action insures proper movement and prevents any possiblebinding during operation. Any suitable means may be provided forachieving this function and, as shown, preferably a pair of radiallyspaced inner and outer guide posts 160 are rigidly secured to thedisplay sprocket wheel 142 at their lower ends in a position between theassociated slots 156 and extend upwardly through a pair of trunnionblocks 162. Each trunnion block includes a suitable bearing slidablyreceiving the associated post 160 and has a pair of trunnion pinsextending outwardly from opposite sides thereof engageable withinhorizontally elongated slots 164 formed in the associated pair ofplates.

Fixedly secured to the upper surface of each block 158 is a mountingplate 166. The adjacent end portions of the mounting plates 166 areformed with L-shaped portions 168 adapted to receive the upper ends of apair of coil springs 170, the lower ends of which are disposed inengagement with the upper surface of the display sprocket wheel 142disposed therebelow. The springs 170 serve to resiliently urge theassociated pair of plates 154 upwardly into the inoperative positionthereof. In order to limit the upward movement of the plates under theaction of the springs 170, the posts 160 are provided with enlargedupper ends, although it will be understood other stop arrangements maybe utilized.

Each pair of plates 154 is arranged to be disposed in its inoperativeposition the portion of its movement with the display sprocket wheel 142which is not coextensive with the associated intermediate end portion ofthe track 74. Each pair of plates 154 is moved into its operativeposition during the portion of its movement which is coextensive to theassociated intermediate and portion of the track by cam means, which, asshown, is in the form of a fixed arcuate cam track 172 and a pair of camrollers I74 associated with each pair of plates 154. As best shown inFIG. 2, the arcuate cam track 172 has an angular extent of approximatelyand includes an upwardly inclined surface 176 at each end thereof. Thecam track is mounted in spaced relation below the mounting plates 112 byany suitable means, such as a plurality of spacers 178 or the like. Thecam rollers 174 are preferably mounted on upwardly extending projections180 formed on the outer ends of the plates 166.

CAM ASSEMBLY The cam assembly 22 of the apparatus 10 is operable toeffect a pivotal movement of 90 of each successive display device aboutthe axis of its pin 94 during its movement along each curved end portionof the track 74 by the associated transfer assembly 152. In order toeffect this pivotal movement, a pair of cam members 182 and 184 isprovided on the underside of the ceiling member 64 adjacent each end ofthe apparatus.

The cam members 182 and 188 mounted at each end of each display devicereceiving member 96 for rotation about axes parallel with the associatedpin 94 and equally spaced therefrom. It will be understood thatdepending upon the direction of movement of the display devices, one ofthe cam rollers will constitute a leading cam roller and the other atrailing cam roller during the movement of the associated display devicethrough the display run. For convenience in description, the cam roller186 will be considered the leading cam roller, and the cam roller 188will be considered the trailing cam roller.

Since the pair of cam members 182 and 184 at each end of the apparatusare substantial mirror images of each other, a description of one pairwill suffice to give an understanding of both. As best shown in FIG. 8,the cam member 182 includes a main arcuate inwardly facing cam surface190 which is adapted to be engaged by the leading cam roller 186 as theassociated display device is moved out of the display run. The mainarcuate cam surface 190 during the engagement of the leading cam rollertherewith serves to effect a controlled pivotal movement ofsubstantially 90. Provided as a continuation of the cam surface 190 is agenerally sinuously curved cam surface 192 which serves to complete the90 pivotal movement of the leading cam roller 186 therewith and to guidethe display device after it has been turned into the storage run. At theopposite end of the main arcuate cam surface 190 is an outwardly arcuatecam surface 194 which is adapted to be engaged by the trailing camroller 188 during the last part of the turning movement of theassociated display device. The cam member 184 includes an outwardlyfacing cam surface 196 which is generally parallel to the cam surface192 and an adjacent end of the main arcuate cam surface 190.

in order to stabilize the movement of the display devices through thedisplay run and to insure that the leading cam roller 186 will properlyengage the first portion of the main arcuate cam surface 190, alongitudinally extending cam track 198 is mounted adjacent the lowerlongitudinaledge of the upper vertical wall of the frame assembly, as bysecurement with the hangers 76. The cam track 198 is conveniently formedof L-shaped stock and positioned so that the horizontal flange isclosely adjacent the top of the cam rollers (see FIG. 3).

DETAlLED OPERATION storage sprocket wheels having their diameters andtheir peripheral teeth in this same ratio. When these relationships aremaintained, the display devices disposed within the storage run will bedisposed, as clearly shown in FIG. 4, in closely spaced relation witheach viewing side thereof extending generally transverse to thedirection of movement and in opposed relation to an opposite viewingside of an adjacent display device. Moreover, the display devices in thedisplay run will likewise be disposed in closely spaced relation with aviewing side thereof extending generally in the direction of movementand in exposed viewing relation.

These relationships are highly significant since the close spacingmaintained between adjacent display devices whether they are disposed inthe storage run or the display run insure that a maximum displaycapability within the space occupied by the apparatus is obtained. Wherethe thickness of the display space provided by the display devices issubstantially less than 1% inches, it may become physically impossibleto strictly adhere to these relationships due to the fact that physicalrequirements limit the minimum size of the storage sprocket wheels.

With the above in mind, the motor 122 is energized to effect operationof the apparatus which sets all of the display devices in motion in onedirection as, for example, in a direction in which the display devicesmove from right to left as viewing in FIG. 1. The display devices at thefront of the apparatus will be moved from the right-hand end of thedisplay run to the left-hand and thereof by the relatively fast movingdisplay chain 104 through the engagement of the drive pins 90 of thecarrier assemblies 80 within the slots 146 of the drive elements 144 onthe chain. Moreover, the movement of each display device along thedisplay run is stabilized by virtue of the engagement of the outerperipheries of the cam rollers 186 and 188 with the cam track 198. Aseach display device 14 reaches the left-hand end of the display run, theleading cam roller 186 will engage the first portion of the cam surface190 prior to the time that the associated drive pin 90 reaches the drivedisplay sprocket wheel 142.

It will be noted that the drive plates 154 of the associated transferassembly 152 will be disposed in their lowered operative position whenthe drive element 144 of the display chain 104 associated with thedisplay device moves adjacent the periphery of the display sprocketwheel. Approximately 1 inch beyond this point, the curvature of theadjacent curved intermediate portion of the guide track 74 departs fromthe curvature of the portion of the display chain 104 engaging thedisplay sprocket wheel 142. Thus, as each display device 14 is movedbeyond this point, the associated carrier assembly 80 guided by thetrack 74 will have a radially inward movement with respect to thecurved'end of the display chain 104. In this way, the pin-90 of theassociated carrier assembly 80fis moved radially inwardly out of theassociated slot 146 of the drive element 144 of the display chain 104and the associated drive roller 92 is moved radially inwardly betweenthe lowered pair of plates 154 of the associated transfer assembly 152.During subsequent movement, the trailing plate 154 of the associatedtransfer assembly, 152 serves to impart movement to the display device14 through the associated carrier assembly 80. During this movement bythe trailing plate of the transfer assembly 152, the carrier assemblywill be moved around the curved end portion of the track 74 at a speedwhich varies beginning at the relatively fast speed of the display chain104 and ending at the relatively slow speed of the storage chain 106.This variation is accomplished by the changing radius from the axis ofrotation of the display sprocket wheel 142 which exists at the point ofcontact between the trailing plate 154 of the associated transferassembly 152 and the drive roller 92 of the associated carrier assembly80.

It will be noted that as the associated transfer assembly 152 approachesthe position where the display chain 104 leaves the display sprocketwheel 142, the trailing inclined cam surface 176 will be engaged by theassociated cam rollers 174,

thus commencing the movement of the plates 144 from their loweredposition to their raised position so that they will be out of thepath ofmovement of the drive rollers 92 during the next approximately l80travelof the transfer assembly with the display sprocket wheel. It issignificant to note that the movement of the cam rollers 174 up thetrailing inclined cam surface 176 takes place substantiallysimultaneously with the downward movement of the diametrically opposedtransfer assembly on the leading inclined cam surface 176. In this way,the resilient action of the springs 170 of the transfer assemblies 152counterbalance one another so as to minimize the introduction ofvibratory effects in the rotation of the sprocket wheels.

As the transfer assembly reaches a point adjacent the lefthandend of thestorage run of the track, the pin of thecarriage assembly 80 will havemoved into engagement with the slot of the drive element 148 of thestorage chain 106. and the drive roller 92 of the carriage assembly 80will have moved radially inwardly out of engagement with the trailingplate 154 of the associated transfer assembly 152. in this way, thetransfer assemblies 152 serve to effect movement of each successivedisplay device 14 about the curved intennediate portion of the track 74,initially taking over the driving effect from the display chain 104 andfinally transferring the driving effect to the storage chain 106.

Moreover, during this movement around the curved end portion of thetrack 74, the cam members cooperate with the cam rollers on therespective display device to effect a pivotal movement of the displaydevice,in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, about the centralaxis of shaft 94.

When the pin 90 of the carriage assembly associated with the displaydevice begins its movement around the curved portion of the trace 74,the leading cam roller 186 has its outer periphery in engagement withthe cam surface of the associated cam member 182 and the trailing camroller 188 still has its outer periphery in engagement with the displaycam track 198. As the associated carrier assembly 80 is moved around thetrack 74, the leading and trailing cam rollers 186 and 188 remain incontact with the respective cam surfaces mentioned above, during whichthe turning movement isinitiated, as is clearly shown in FIG. 8. Thisaction continues as the trailing cam roller 188 moves off of the end ofthe display cam track 198 and onto the cam surface 194. As the trailingcam roller 188 moves off of the cam surface 194, cam surface 196contacts the inner periphery of the leading cam roller 186 to therebymaintain positive control of the turning movement of the display device.The turning of the display device to an extent of 90 is completed duringthe initial contact of the leading cam roller 186 with the cam surface196 and during subsequent movement of the display device, the camsurfaces 192 and 196 merely serve to guide the display device, throughengagement with opposite sides of the periphery of the leading camroller 186, with a substantially pure translational movement into thestorage run.

It will be noted that each display device is then moved at a relativelyslow speed under the driving action of the storage chain 106 through thestorage run with the viewing sides disposed perpendicular to thedirection of travel. When each display device reaches the right-hand endof the storage run, the associated transfer assembly 152 will take overthe driving action and finally transfer it to the right-hand end of theoperative flight of the display chain. During this movement this displaydevice is again pivoted 90 about its central axis, in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 1. Consequently, when the display device isagain moved through the display run, it will have been pivoted about itscentral axis a total of 180 so that during this movement the oppositeviewing side of the display device will be exposed in viewing relation.

The preferred embodiment of the display apparatus of the presentinvention, as described above, is capable of effecting movement of thedisplay devices 14 in either direction through the display and storageruns by virtue of the reversible motor 122, the symmetrical arrangementof the conveying mechanism 16 and cam assembly 22 and the opposeddriving surfaces provided by the drive elements 144 and 148 and driveplates 154.

Insofar as the conveying mechanism 16 itself is concerned, it isimportant to note that it includes a plurality of separate drivingmeans, two off which transmit motion at different constant speeds andtransfer means between the two capable of transmitting motion atvariable speeds. Yet, the separate driving means at each end of theapparatus are all fixed to a single rotating shaft. This relationshippositively insures that the separate drives cannot get out ofsynchronism and can be powered by a single driving motor. Thus, bykeying both the display and the storage sprockets to a single shaft, thesprockets will necessarily have a common rotational velocity. lnconjection with this relationship, the associated transfer means islikewise effectively keyed to the same shaft and has a driving actionwhich effects either an accelerating or decelerating movement along aradial line common to the united sprockets without discontinuities andin perfect synchronism with either chain.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subjectto extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore,this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A conveying mechanism comprising first and second sprocket wheels ofdifferent diameter sizes mounted for rotational movement about a commonaxis at a common angular speed of rotation, first and second endlesschains trained about said first and second sprocket wheels,respectively, for movement at different speeds having a ratio equal tothe ratio of the different diameter sizes of the respective sprocketwheels, said first chain including an operative flight leading to saidfirst sprocket wheel, said second chain including an operative flightleading from said second sprocket wheel, a

track section including first and second portions disposed incooperating relation to the operative flights of said first and secondchains, respectively, and an intermediate portion between said first andsecond portions, a carrier assembly mounted on said track section formovement therealong, first drive means on said first chain foroperatively engaging said carrier assembly and moving the same alongsaid second track portion at a speed corresponding to the speed of saidsecond chain, and transfer drive means movable about the common axis ofrotation of said sprocket wheels and at the common angular speed ofrotation thereof for operatively engaging said carrier assembly andmoving the same along said intermediate track portion so that saidcarrier assembly can be continually engaged and moved along said tracksectlon successively by said first drive means, said transfer-drivemeans and said second drive means during the rotation of said sprocketwheels.

2. A conveying mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein saidtransfer-drive means includes a radially extending drive member, meansincludes a radially extending drive means mounting said drive member forrotational movement with said first sprocket wheel and for movementbetween an operative position wherein said drive member is disposed tooperatively engage a carrier assembly and an inoperative positionwherein said drive member is disposed to prevent operative engagementwith said carrier assembly, and cam means for effecting movement of saiddrive member into said operative position during an operative portion ofits rotational movement with said first sprocket wheel and for effectingmovement of said member into said inoperative position during anotherportion of the rotational movement of said first sprocket wheel.

3. A conveying mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said first andsecond drive means includes driving elements fixed to said first andsecond chains, respectively, said driving elements on said first andsecond chains having carrier assembly receiving slots formed thereinopening inwardly and outwardly, respectively, and wherein saidtransfer-drive means includes a second radially extending drive memberfixed with respect to said first-mentioned radially extending drivemember in parallel relation therewith whereby said drive means areoperable to effect movement along said track section in eitherdirection.

4. A conveying mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said drive memberis provided with spring means resiliently urging said drive member intosaid inoperative position and wherein said cam means comprises camroller means carried by said drive member and a fixed cam surfacedisposed in a position to engage said cam roller means and to move saiddrive member into said operative position against the action of saidspring means during the operative portion of the rotational movementthereof.

5. A conveying mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said drive-membermounting means comprises a pair of radially spaced shafts fixedlycarried by said first sprocket wheel with their axes parallel with theaxis of rotation of said first sprocket wheel, a pair of membersslidably mounted on said shaft and pivotally slidably connected withsaid drive member, said cam roller means including a pair of radiallyspaced cam rollers.

1. A conveying mechanism comprising first and second sprocket wheels ofdifferent diameter sizes mounted for rotational movement about a commonaxis at a common angular speed of rotation, first and second endlesschains trained about said first and second sprocket wheels,respectively, for movement at different speeds having a ratio equal tothe ratio of the different diameter sizes of the respective sprocketwheels, said first chain including an operative flight leading to saidfirst sprocket wheel, said second chain including an operative flightleading from said second sprocket wheel, a track section including firstand second portions disposed in cooperating relation to the operativeflights of said first and second chains, respectively, and anintermediate portion between said first and second portions, a carrierassembly mounted on said track section for movement therealong, firstdrive means on said first chain for operatively engaging said carrierassembly and moving the same along said second track portion at a speedcorresponding to the speed of said second chain, and transfer drivemeans movable about the common axis of rotation of said sprocket wheelsand at the common angular speed of rotation thereof for operativelyengaging said carrier assembly and moving the same along saidintermediate track portion so that said carrier assembly can becontinually engaged and moved along said track section successively bysaid first drive means, said transfer-drive means and said second drivemeans during the rotation of said sprocket wheels.
 2. A conveyingmechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer-drive meansincludes a radially extending drive member, means includes a radiallyextending drive means mounting said drive member for rotational movementwith said first sprocket wheel and for movement between an operativeposition wherein said drive member is disposed to operatively engage acarrier assembly and an inoperative position wherein said drive memberis disposed to prevent operative engagement with said carrier assembly,and cam means for effecting movement of said drive member into saidoperative position during an operative portion of its rotationalmovement with said first sprocket wheel and for effecting movement ofsaid member into said inoperative position during another portion of therotational movement of said first sprocket wheel.
 3. A conveyingmechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second drivemeans includes driving elements fixed to said first and second chains,respectively, said driving elements on said first and second chainshaving carrier assembly receiving slots formed therein opening inwardlyand outwardly, respectively, and wherein said transfer-drive meansincludes a second radially extending drive member fixed with respect tosaid first-mentioned radially extending drive member in parallelrelation therewith whereby said drive means are operable to effectmovement along said track section in either direction.
 4. A conveyingmechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said drive member is providedwith spring means resiliently urging said drive member into saidinoperative position and wherein said cam means comprises cam rollermeans carried by said drive member and a fixed cam surface disposed in aposition to engage said cam roller means and to move said drive memberinto said operative position against the action of said spring meansduring the operative portion of the rotational movement thereof.
 5. Aconveying mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said drive-membermounting means comprises a pair of radially spaced shafts fixedlycarried by said first sprocket wheel with their axes parallel with theaxis of rotation of said first sprocket wheel, a pair of membersslidably mounted on said shaft and pivotally slidably connected withsaid drive member, said cam roller means including a pair of radiallyspaced cam rollers.